AZ archery coues deer.

[dustinf]

I just want to know if I'm wasting my time in Unit 29. I don't have to kill anything, I don't mind high mileage days, but I'd like to at see a deer and break a sweat. I plan on sleeping in the dirt, and enjoying the taste of filtered AZ ditch water.

I've researched online, but just ordered the maps today.

It's an OTC tag, I'm not committed to this unit, but it's my best guess as far as deer and access(from 2500 miles away).

I'm flying to Tuscon September 3, and flying home the 9th. Where, and what happens during that time is open to discussion.

Any and all input(ball breaking included) welcome.

 

[spook12]

Sorry dustin i'm no help to you on this one. I am curious to hear what others have to to say.Good luck!

 

[Devil Diver Down]

I just want to know if I'm wasting my time in Unit 29. I don't have to kill anything, I don't mind high mileage days, but I'd like to at see a deer and break a sweat. I plan on sleeping in the dirt, and enjoying the taste of filtered AZ ditch water.

I've researched online, but just ordered the maps today.

It's an OTC tag, I'm not committed to this unit, but it's my best guess as far as deer and access(from 2500 miles away).

I'm flying to Tuscon September 3, and flying home the 9th. Where, and what happens during that time is open to discussion.

Any and all input(ball breaking included) welcome.

Sounds like you're staying in one of Tucson's very finest.

Sorry. Wish I could help but I don't know anything about that unit. Ball breaking I have a post-doc in, though. Best of luck on your hunt!

 

[dustinf]

Sounds like you're staying in one of Tucson's very finest.

Ha!

I left out sleeping and "showering" in the airport.

 

[spook12]

You gonna recreate''Terminal'' ?

 

[junior88]

sorry, no experience in 29. have a lot of time spent in 35a. i have hunted south and southwest of parker canyon lake on rifle hunts. have a small 3pt and a nice 4x3 for my efforts. there are some decent waterholes but i'm sure they will all be hunted. if you're not married to the tuscon area i would look at unit 23. the northern part of the unit is in pine country and wouldn't be so godforsaken hot as the deserts. another benefit to 35a is that the lake has a nice campground and you don't have to worry about your food and water being stolen by illegals

 

[Craig S.]

Dustin,

It's not a waste of time. It's not going to be a cake walk either.

You have probably already Googled the hell out of that unit, but here are some links:

AZGFD Unit 29 Hunting Information

Coues Deer Discussion on Unit 29

Another Coues Deer Discussion Unit 29

You will have good access on the Coronado National Forest. Just make sure you have good optics and tripod. It should be an adventure!!!

Thanks & please feel free to share with us!
Craig Steele

 

[SDHNTR]

Just curious, why 29? If you are flying into Tucson, there are good, if not better, units a lot closer. It will likely also be triple digit weather too. You sure you want to sleep in the dirt with the chiggers and snakes, on top of the heat? There are plenty of places you could hunt out of an air conditioned motel room. I admire your willingness, but I think there may be smarter ways to tackle this.

 

[sagebrush]

I was just at a meeting last night at the AZGFD headquarters. Everyone in our group were comparing tags and one had draw the late rifle hunt in 29. All the guys that knew 29 were envious of the tag, including G&F personnel. I would say that its a good unit. I'm not at all famliar with 29, but I do know 23 pretty well. I would look into lodging in Forest Lakes or Christopher Creek and enjoy the cooler weather. 23 is one of the best Coues units in the state.

By the way, the guy that got the most attention for his tag drew a 12AW late tag, for the third straight year! That has to be some kind of a record. This year he put in as a group with his son with only his hunter ed and loyalty points and still drew.

 

[dustinf]

Just curious, why 29?

guys that knew 29 were envious of the tag, including G&F personnel.

My research turned up similar info.

Btw, I'm more comfortable with snakes and chiggers than in motel rooms. I know it's going to be hot and miserable, that means less people to share the desert with, and that's why I'm going.

If I wanted easy, I'd build a 1,000 yard rifle and hire an outfitter...

 

[SDHNTR]

See PM.

 

[SDHNTR]

I was just at a meeting last night at the AZGFD headquarters. Everyone in our group were comparing tags and one had draw the late rifle hunt in 29. All the guys that knew 29 were envious of the tag, including G&F personnel. I would say that its a good unit. I'm not at all famliar with 29, but I do know 23 pretty well. I would look into lodging in Forest Lakes or Christopher Creek and enjoy the cooler weather. 23 is one of the best Coues units in the state.

By the way, the guy that got the most attention for his tag drew a 12AW late tag, for the third straight year! That has to be some kind of a record. This year he put in as a group with his son with only his hunter ed and loyalty points and still drew.

It's the season that makes that late 29 tag good, not necessarily the unit. Yes it's a pretty good one, but there are better. And with archery, it's OTC so you get to choose.

 

[sbhooper]

I hunted that area a couple times with a rifle back when it was easy to draw a late tag. I can't really help you much as it was many years ago. There is really no need to rough it as most of those good areas down there are not that far from good facilities, but that is your choice.

It is pretty, rough country and you will see javelina, coati mundi and maybe a lion, bobcat or coyote here and there. The little Coues is one of the funnest hunts that I ever did. It can be very physically demanding as the country is rough and rocky and everything has stickers on it. If you are not figuring on sitting water holes, figure on spending your time on a high hill glassing a lot. Those little deer will appear from nowhere, as they will get in under a palo verde or oak tree and absolutely disappear. I have jumped them from under a tree nearly next to me that they had to get down on their knees to get under. They are amazing!

Six days is a pretty fast hunt for that type of quarry. Good luck.

 

[dustinf]

See PM.

Got it. Thanks

 

[danr55]

The Chiracaua's are spectacular for bow hunting. All you have to do is move like a cloud, make about as much noise and dodge the smugglers. There are a lot of small deer down there and a few large ones (we're talking Coues deer). Everyone I know that has been successful down there has hunted in December. Be sure to take something to keep the rain out. That is probably one of the wetest parts of this state in the late summer and fall.